Your Future In Restaurants Starts Here
We are dedicated to changing lives and uplifting communities.
The Educational Foundation empowers people from all backgrounds with the training and education they need to secure a better future.
We do this through the vast opportunities offered in the restaurant, foodservice and hospitality industry.
Join us as we celebrate the people behind the restaurant industry’s big comeback. Their powerful stories of perseverance, community engagement and inclusion inspire us all to do our part.
Journeys that Inspire continues with our Community Service series of uplifting stories, brought to you by American Express. It features members of the restaurant industry who demonstrated exceptional resilience and adaptability during the pandemic, and then extended that strength by supporting their local communities.
Read the Press Release
Read all of the Journeys that Inspire - Community Service
Lebanese Taverna
Washington, DC Metro Area
The Abi-Najm started Lebanese Taverna after escaping Lebanon's Civil War. The family remains very active in the local community, having recently prepared 1,000 meals for Afghan refugees arriving to the city after a harrowing journey and raising $150,000 for the Lebanese Red Cross and World Central Kitchen, immediately following an explosion in Beirut in 2020.
Elephants Delicatessen
Portland, Oregon
This Certified B Corporation “uses the power of business to solve social and economic problems,” adopting a low-income apartment building and stocking its food pantry. Aiming to “help people help people,” Elephants introduced the “Good Neighbor Menu,” featuring well-priced meals that can be purchased, donated and delivered to shelters, healthcare workers and first responders.
Canlis
Seattle, Washington
Third-generation owners Mark and Brian Canlis personify reinvention and resilience. When they were forced to temporarily close their fine-dining restaurant, they transformed their business into a drive-in movie theater, roadside BBQ and a crab shack. They launched Canlis Community College, live streaming classes on food & wine, raising $60,000 for local hunger relief and job training.
The ProStart® Virtual Lounge is Live!
The ProStart Virtual Lounge, powered by Coca-Cola, is a new interactive networking site for the national ProStart community, including current and former students, educators, state coordinators, and mentors from the restaurant and foodservice industry.
The Virtual Lounge is a great place to chat with other students from across the country, track progress on individual goals, and check out exclusive culinary demos, tutorials, and enter contests that are only open to members of the ProStart community.
The Student Lounge is also a great place to meet students before competing together in local, state, and National ProStart Invitational competitions.
NRAEF partners with “GRACE” to Celebrate Cultural Diversity & Traditions of Black-Owned Restaurants
The foundation announced its support for the new musical GRACE, which began its world premiere engagement at the historic Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C., and runs through May 14, 2022.
Read the Press Release
The Coca-Cola Company Turns Restaurant Workers Into Leaders
The Coca-Cola Company has contributed $250,000 to support efforts to share the NRAEF’s Restaurant & Hospitality Leadership Center (RHLC) with National Restaurant Association members and the industry at large.
Read the press release
Rachael Ray’s Philanthropies Hit $1 Million in Support for Scholarships
The NRAEF recognized The Rachael Ray Foundation and the Yum-o! organization for crossing the $1 million threshold of support for NRAEF scholarships that fund students pursuing higher education in the restaurant, hospitality, and foodservice industry.
Read the Press Release
Select the best option for you:
Advance your career with education, training and certifications.
Scholarships
Since 1987, we’ve helped nearly 2,000 students with merit-based undergraduate scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $10,000.
View Scholarships
Apprenticeships
Come join the first-ever apprenticeship program developed specifically for restaurant, food service, and hospitality.
Find Out How
Certifications
Whether you want to get ServSafe certified or become a Certified Secondary Foodservice Educator, we have you covered.
Educator Certification
Be A Changemaker
Support our mission to feed dreams and build futures in the restaurant, foodservice and hospitality industry. 100% of every dollar you donate will directly support the mission of the Foundation.
DONATE NOW